Besides at this time the elevated situation of Knaresbro' above the Wharfe was ascertained to be 198 feet, equal to 22 locks of 9 feet each; and hence, even if water could be obtained at a cheap rate, by artificial means, the number of locks requisite for locking down into a navigable part of the river Wharfe or Ouse, distant about twenty miles, would alone render the project unadvisable, by swelling the expense of the work in such a manner as would totally destroy the expected advantages to be derived by the trade of Knaresbro' and the surrounding neighbourhood, or leave little or no hopes for the shareholders receiving a fair per centage for their money embarked. Under these circumstances your committee abandoned all further hopes of a Canal, and notwithstanding the funds then collected for the survey were exhausted, they relied on the same spirit which gave rise to the project, and felt convinced of the great utility and advantages of a Rail-way, if taken from a navigable part of the river Wharfe, and continued, passing Knaresbro', up the valley to Pateley-Bridge. The object of extending the work thus far, was, in order to secure the back carriage of the lead, which is produced on a large scale in that neighbourhood, besides the excellent lime for agricultural purposes made at Greenhow-Hill, and the very excellent stone to be had there for making and repairing of highways; together with the inexhaustible quantities of stone for all purposes of building, which by the accounts we have of it, cannot be excelled; and also the produce of many flax and cotton mills, all of which are turned by water, and hence more likely to increase in number than diminish; the quantity of tonnage to be found in that direction, at a comparatively small expense in obtaining it, added to the tonnage of the lower end of the line, would, undoubtedly increase, not only the utility of the work, as regards the country in general, but give a preponderating quantity of tonnage in a descending direction; the advantages of which were so obvious to your Committee, that a survey nearly upon new ground was undertaken, and continued under very favourable hopes, till at length it was brought within the compass of both plans and sections, and exhibited to your Committee about the latter end of January, 1819. From which data, and what more Mr. Palmer was able to give Mr. Telford from his own observations, your Committee requested Mr. Telford to give his estimates of the most advantageous manner of communicating this place with the navigable part of the river Ouse at Acaster Sailby, (this being at that time the point fixed on at the lower end of the line) either by a double Rail-way only, or by a double Rail-way to the Brook Crimple, and hence by a Canal to Acaster Sailby, taking the water from this brook as a supply, and forward from Knaresbro' to Pateley-bridge, by a single Rail-way, with passing places.